Netflix's Avatar: The Last Airbender Needs To Make Its Characters Less Likable In Season 2 (No, Really)

Netflix’s live-action retelling of Avatar: The Last Airbender is far from perfect, and for season 2 to improve upon the flaws of the first, the characters themselves will need to become less likable. Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender has made changes to the original series, but remains very faithful to the core story. The original succeeded because of its rich world and complex characters such as Aang, Zuko, and Katara. For season 2 of Netflix’s live-action retelling to be as compelling as the original, it needs to delve deeper into the complexity of these characters.

Season 1 of Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender does one thing very well: it artistically recreates the rich world of the original series and sets the stage for the legendary story to unfold. The fictional nations in the world of Avatar: The Last Airbender, are beautifully depicted, so it is easy to understand the background of each key character. However, while the beloved faces in Netflix’s retelling are easily identifiable, the characters are not flawed enough to be exciting to watch. Neither the heroes nor villains change or grow as much as they did in the original series.

Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender Needs More Flawed Characters In Season 2

Great Characters Have Flaws

For character arcs to be more engaging in season 2 of Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender, they must present growth and change, not just fall flat. One character that will most likely appear in season 2 is Toph. Toph’s character is a fan favorite and an exceptional earthbender, yet she has an arrogant side that complicates her relationships with other characters. Complicated is good, as watching characters navigate complex relationships is rewarding to watch. If Toph isn’t arrogant, then there will be less conflict between her and other characters, and less opportunity to reward the audience with moments of change.

Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2 will condense the original story just like they did with season 1, shortening potential storylines. Regardless, the show must find the time to introduce as many flawed characters into the mix as possible. If the show wants to engage the audience more effectively, the characters need to be more believable. Just as all people have shortcomings and flaws, the heroes need the same to be relatable. In the original series, such flaws were present, and it was those flaws that breathed life into the main characters.

The Characters’ Flaws Are A Major Strength Of The Original Avatar: The Last Airbender

Heroes Can’t Be Perfect From The Start

Theoriginal Avatar: The Last Airbender is anchored around the premise of change, as many characters evolve throughout the show. Antagonist Zuko and his Uncle Iroh’s story is one of the most rewarding in terms of change. However, the original trio at the heart of the story have relatable flaws they all work to overcome. Sokka’s growth in Avatar: The Last Airbender sees him overcome his insecurities and sexist views as he changes how he treats his sister, Aang shakes off childish tendencies once and for all, and Katara manages to let go of her anger at the Fire Nation.

A major strength of the original series was that not only do the characters change the world they inhabit, but they also change themselves. In the live-action retelling, Netflix has sanitized these characters, lessening their flaws, and the show suffers as a result. Appreciating Aang’s maturing as the show progresses is made impossible if he is already presented as more grown-up. It is rewarding to watch characters grow on their journey, but if they have no flaws to work on, the audience will miss out on the satisfaction of seeing them change.

Introducing The Characters’ Shortcomings Is A Major Challenge For Season 2

It Might Be Too Late To Introduce Flaws

Introducing the shortcomings of already-established characters in season 2 will add great value to the show, yet it poses a major challenge. It is potentially too late to reveal flaws in the existing main characters, since Aang suddenly becoming more childish or Sokka more sexist would create a sense of regression instead of progression. One approach may be to increase the pressure on the protagonists so that their shortcomings are more believably drawn out. Tackling this problem will require thoughtful work from the writers to make any emerging flaws believable.

Characters that emerge in season 2 of Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender are the main hope for the show to display character flaws more openly. Toph’s arrogance will add a new dynamic to season 2 and touch upon what made the original series special. Her introduction might be the best path to bringing out flaws in other characters, as her personality can upset the overly harmonious status quo of the three heroes. With every character in season 2, Netflix must make a conscious effort to portray them as less likable, so that the show itself can become even more so.

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  Avatar: The Last Airbender (Live-Action)

  Based on the acclaimed animated Nickelodeon television series, Avatar: The Last Airbender is an action-adventure fantasy series developed by Albert Kim. The series follows Aang, a young man training to harness the four elements to live up to the title of Avatar – the one who will restore balance to the world.

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  Avatar: The Last Airbender

  Avatar: The Last Airbender is an Animated Fantasy and Adventure series that appeared on Nickelodeon and was created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko. The series featured voices from Zach Tyler Eisen, Jack DeSena, Dante Basco, and Mae Whitman. The premise follows a young boy named Aang, an Air Bender who is set to be the next Avatar, master of all elements, in a bit to unite the nations together and bring peace.